Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care
Jodi Picoult

Front cover

Date read: 20 March - 2 April 2017
Length: 551 pages

Willow is a young girl with a disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. She had seven broken bones before she was even born. Her mother, Charlotte, goes to court to sue her doctor in a wrongful birth case, in order to be able to afford the care Willow needs. Her doctor just happens to be her best friend. The court case is splitting her family apart, but will they win in the end?


There's so much going on with all the characters in this book that you feel it's not just the one story. For me I think that's a good thing. You really get to know the other characters in the novel, rather than just focusing on the main plot. I liked the lawyer, Marin. She had an interesting story, and it shows development we might have otherwise not seen.

I'm not a huge fan of the fact that Picoult's books often have lawyers and courts in them, but I did like this one. Sometimes I don't think it really fits with the plot, but I think it worked here. A desperate mother did what she thought was right to help her disabled child.

While reading this book I had it in my mind it was getting 3 stars. But the ending was so abrupt and surprising, it changed suddenly.  I just did not see it coming!


One of Picoult's better books.

Jodi Picoult 

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter #3
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 12 - 19 March 2017
Length: 317 pages

Harry returns to Hogwarts for his third year with new subjects and a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. The school is being guarded by Dementors from Azkaban prison, as an inmate has escaped. But Sirius Black is not all he seems. Will the truth be revealed?


It's nice for Harry to learn a bit more about his family, even if it's not all good. It's a shame he was brought up the way he was, and to learn he does have other family out there must be a bit of a relief.

Fred and George give Harry something called a Marauder's Map. This map allows anyone in the vicinity of Hogwarts to be seen. Harry uses it to sneak to Hogsmeade, but it also comes in handy to save the day.

It is because of the Marauder's Map that we learn Ron's faithful pet rat Scabbers is not just a rat... a whole series of events unfold, teaching us more about what really happened in the lead up to Harry's parents death.

I am very much looking forward to The Goblet of Fire. This series is very captivating so far, and I believe it only gets better!




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Last of the Wilds (Age of the Five #2) by Trudi Canavan

Last of the Wilds
Age of the Five #2
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 25 February - 11 March 2017
Length: 610 pages

The war is over and the Circlians won. A disease called Hearteater is spreading among the Siyee and Auraya offers her assistance. There she meets Leiard, but he's not the same man she once knew. Meanwhile a Pentadrian saves the life of the princess of Elai, and returns her to her home. Are the Pentadrians as bad as the Circlians suggest?


I found this one much easier to read! You kind of get used to the new words and people's names and places. In this one I particularly liked the Leiard/Mirar story, and capture and rescue of Imi.

I like Imi, and I think given the chance she will make a good leader one day. She is interested in other people. She wants to explore new places and learn about different cultures. She is wise beyond her years and has courage and determination.

I also still like Emerahl, or whatever name she chooses at a particular point. I hope there will be more of her, I feel there is still more to find out! I'm a little sad there was no Tryss, but I can't have everything!

I won't spoil anything here, but I was very surprised by the ending! Definitely worth reading until the end!




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz

Life Expectancy
Dean Koontz

Front cover

Date read: 12 - 24 February 2017
Length: 531 pages

On the day of Jimmy Tock's birth, his grandfather predicts the exact time of his birth, and his exact weight. He also gives 5 dates; days on which terrible things will happen. No one knows what these things will be and no one can prepare for the truth that will unfold. Jimmy could have had a very different life. The main question is; will he survive the final date?


I really enjoyed this story and it was so easy to read. I found it hard to put down, definitely one that grabs you and pulls you in.

I loved Lorrie. She's such a genuine character and she knows what she wants. She's so different from Jimmy, who often describes himself as a lummox. An unlikely pair, but they work well together.

This story keeps you on your toes, with a few twists! Some were very unexpected, and it makes the book very hard to put down!




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter #2
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 6 - 11 February 2017
Length: 251 pages

Harry is back for a second year, and after a rather unusual entrance, he arrives at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There is something afoot, however, as people are discovered Petrified. Harry and his gang take it upon themselves to learn more about the Chamber of Secrets and the monster lurking inside. Can they stop it and save Hogwarts? 


This year Hogwarts have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher; Professor Lockhart. Oh, and what a pathetic excuse for a man is he. Using other people's achievements as his own to sell books and win over the ladies' hearts. Give me strength. All I'm going to say is, I'm glad he doesn't stick around for long. 

Harry discovers he's a parselmouth, which means he can talk to snakes. That explains what happened that time he went to the zoo. It's a rare talent among the wizardry community, so naturally everyone is amazed. And rightly so. I'd love to be able to talk to animals. Maybe not snakes though...

I did enjoy this story, though I think I preferred the first so far. I've heard they're meant to get really good later on, so I'm looking forward to that. 

2 down, 5 more to go! 




Overall rating

Thanks, 
The Wee Librocubicularist 

Priestess of the White (Age of the Five #1) by Trudi Canavan

Priestess of the White
Age of the Five #1
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 20 January - 5 February 2017
Length: 656 pages

Auraya is chosen as a priestess of the White and must leave her old life behind. Gifted with powers, herself and the 4 other White must make allies in order to defend against black-clad sorcerers and try to prevent a war. Can they recruit enough allies?


There are a lot of characters to get your head around, which can be quite confusing! There's the names of the gods, the priests and priestesses, not to mention other characters from different locations. Then there's words you've never heard before (there's a glossary at the back) to add to the mix. I found myself struggling, so I took a break and came back to it.

It's a good story though, and a few little side stories which are interesting. In particular I like Tryss and Emerahl. I hope I get to learn more about them in the other two books.

Dreamweavers are mysterious, and I think there's more to them than meets the eye. I'm glad the Circlians and Dreamweavers are beginning to work together, and I hope to see the prejudice against them evaporate.


Although I found it hard to finish at first, I'm looking forward to the next one so I can find out more about the Dreamweavers, and Emerahl.




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Death of a Ladies' Man by Alan Bissett

Death of a Ladies' Man
Alan Bissett

Front cover

Date read: 9 - 19 January 2017
Length: 423 pages

Charlie Bain is an English teacher at a high school in Glasgow. 30 year old divorcee, lives with his mum, likes taking drugs. Not much is going right for Mr Bain. He's losing control of his life; he is not doing well in his career, the women are seeing him for what he really is, and not even his mother wants him in the house. What happened to the Ladies' Man?


Charlie is a thoroughly despicable character, but unfortunately very believable. He is not someone I would get on with in real life. To put it simply; he is a dick. 

I feel sorry for all the women in this novel, specifically Julie. He is a pig and just uses everyone. He is selfish and has no regard for anyone's feelings apart from his own. 

I thought the story of Death of a Ladies' Man was better than Boyracers, although I still find the writing style a bit odd with the words sort of floating on the page. 

Not sure I would recommend or read again. 




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist